The manner in which the Buccaneers handled the termination of Simeon Rice's contract with the team is causing a serious problem among veterans on the team, according to our pal Steve Duemig of WDAE radio in Tampa.
The official excuse for the move -- a failed physical -- apparently is the standard line used by the Jon Gruden regime when it dumps a guy who still can play (see Shelton Quarles). Apparently, Gruden addressed the media before dinner and said that all of the players had reported, and that all of them were healthy.
Duemig says that Rice was at dinner on Thursday night with his teammates, and pulled aside to meet with the powers-that-be. Rice was told that he had to take a pay cut or be released, and that he had five minutes to make up his mind.
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